Alex faces three weeks out

Chelsea have confirmed that defender Alex will be sidelined for up to three weeks with a thigh injury he sustained in the late stages of their 2-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday.

Alex has been ruled out of Brazil's friendly international matches against Iran on Thursday and Ukraine on Monday.

The central defender underwent medical assessment on the injuryon Monday and it is almost certain he will miss the trip to Aston Villa after the international break and the Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow.